Moss & Lichen: Which One Is Actually a Plant?

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[MrZawaga]

You could make a side show all about fungi called journey to mycocosmos

[aakashjain]

It’s only a matter of time till lichen discovers fire

[BrianPennington]

Really missed an opportunity to say “Please lichen subscribe”

[malusignatius]

*Sees moss with light artefacts*

"Ooh, disco moss."

[crpCph]

me on a hike touching lichen gently:
"tell me secrets of the past, primordial friend"

[NewMessage]

This one makes me VERY happy... bryophytes and lichens don't get enough love.

[TraversalScore]

I've always felt like lichens are the sort of terrestrial equivalent of corals

[CMZneu]

Only 6 minutes... WE NEED MORE!!! more of fungi and mosses.

[cadr]

Wait this was too short! I need to know more about lichens!!

[sakari]

I zoned out for about 2 minutes, this is way too relaxing

[ariariaris]

i would LOVE to see more mosses and fungi up close on this channel!

[thebermudaI]

For people who want more, I recommend Robin Wall Kimmerer's book GATHERING MOSS.

[alanhyt]

Reminded me of first semester biology lab and the Biological Progression field trip. First, there's bare rock. Second, there are lichens. The lichens break down a tiny bit of the rock and leave organic material in the mix, creating a basic soil. Third, moss spores that have landed in the soil come to life, and patches of moss grow wider and make the soil layer slightly deeper. Fourth and so on, with higher plants, like shrubs, small trees, larger trees. Eventually, climax communities.
We'd hiked a bit to get to that spot, the place where we could, without turning our heads, see everything in the progression from solid rock to lichen, to mosses, to shrubs, to alders, to Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar. When I'd processed it, I must admit I was blown away by the scope and power of life on this planet and how bare minerals can eventually become covered with plants and animals. I have looked at lichen with reverence ever since. Lichens start the process of biological progression, and if it weren't for them, my region would be bare rock and not much else. I grew up amid moss-covered trees and dark, ancient forests. Lichens didn't get enough credit out there, even though the ancient rainforests of the Olympic Peninsula were all started after the ice age ended when lichens took hold of the bare rocks, and even though some folks used certain of the myriad local lichens medicinally, as well.
After the eruption of Mt St Helens, I was able to reassure a few people I knew that forests would grow on again on what was left of that mountain.
"Life will find a way."

[kdcridlpaw]

It’s so strange/different hearing calm, soothing Hank

[FlyHigh]

"it's the moss. Moss is the plant." Thanks XD

[zJoriz]

"... wonder what other secrets they might possibly hide"
This makes me remember the time when my brother and I as kids brought flashlights along on vacation -- and promptly started 'interrogating' mushrooms in the style common in crappy TV shows of the era.

[Tahoza]

4:58 TARDIGRADE SIGHTING! MOSS PIGLET ON THE MOSS!

[saurabhp]

Only if my biology lab could have been like this, you guys are amazing

[glossaria]

Ha! It's like you guys read my mind. I just collected a bunch of lichen and mosses while I was on vacay (currently paper-bagged and awaiting spare time for me to revive, study, and try to ID them, and hopefully scope out some tardigrades).

[dracoaestas]

What a good birthday present! And actually really appropriate. I've run a moss terrarium workshop, and one of the elderly folks remembered me as the "moss lady" afterward lol. Does anyone else here keep moss terrariums?